A scene from the big-band touring show “In the Mood.” Bud Forrest Productions

Producer Bud Forrest wants to take audiences back in time: Back before iPods, back before music videos and back even before rock ’n’ roll.

His “In the Mood” transports the audience to the music of the 1930s and 1940s.

“This music is from a significant time in American history,” said Forrest of “In the Mood,” which plays in San Diego this weekend and in Escondido next month. “It’s the music of World War II and the greatest generation. It was the last time all Americans were listening and dancing to the same music.”

The concept behind the musical revue is to immerse the audience in the music and dancing of the time. A 13-piece live band accompanies six singer/dancers as they perform 40 hits of the time, including “Tuxedo Junction,” “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “In the Mood.”

This is music Forrest is well acquainted with. He served as the pianist for the Air Force chorus The Singing Sergeants. And, as he pointed out, the music of the 1940s is still popular today.

“A good melody will last forever,” he said. “ ‘Stardust’ was written 50 years ago, but it’s a wonderful song and still with us today. This music has a way of tugging on people’s emotional heartstrings. Of course, the older generation has good memories of their youth, but the baby boomers grew up listening to it and college students today are into swing dancing. So the show really does appeal to a broad spectrum.”

“In the Mood” came to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, last year, and the response was so positive that Forrest is bringing it back to both Escondido and San Diego. David Shaw, the show’s presenter, said it’s the most popular show he’s been involved with during his 40 years in the business.

“We have many theaters that bring us back year after year,” Forrest said. “What we’ve created here is a timeless piece of musical theater. There’s no story — the music is the story. It’s just the melodies and dancing that people love. There’s (music by) Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.”

The show ends with a tribute to the military and veterans.

“These are the people who remember what music means to us as Americans,” he said. “It’s part of our culture.”

With the show’s bright period costumes, classic arrangements and professional swing dancing, Forrest said he believes that “In the Mood” really does create a time warp for audiences.

“It’s a chance for them to come and relive the classic sounds of America,” he said. “It’s a show that’s fun and exciting. We never get tired of it.”